Support for a variety of LGBTQ causes is on the decline in Canada.
An Ipsos poll surveying the attitudes of adults in 26 countries found that support for LGBTQ causes, including the inclusion of LGBTQ characters in TV shows and movies, trans-identifying biological males’ participation in women’s sports, and healthcare coverage for gender transition procedures, has plummeted in Canada.
While the poll says 13% of Canadian adults identify as LGBTQ, Canada ranks in the bottom half in approval measures of LGBTQ causes.
Canada ranked 17th out of 23 in support of transgender people using the restroom of the gender that they identify with, with 46% of Canadians in approval and 37% against.
Canada also ranks 22nd out 23 in support for government-issued documents allowing for an option other than “male” and “female,” with an approval-disapproval split of 40-41%.
While the figures have been presented as a sign of growing intolerance by some, one parental rights advocate said the poll might show Canadians are more in tune with science.
“Both Canada and the U.S. rank among the most conservative of the 26 countries surveyed, along with Sweden and Great Britain, which may reflect greater awareness of the lack of medical studies proving the safety and effectiveness of hormonal therapies due to cultural wars in those countries over medical restrictions on hormone therapies and gender ideology in schools,” said Parents as First Educators founder Teresa Pierre.
Despite the divided opinion on allowing gender-neutral options on government-issued ID, the Trudeau government began allowing Canadians to identify as a male, female, or ‘x’ on their passports and other government documents in 2017.
A plurality of Canadians believe that gender transition procedures should not be covered by the taxpayers, with only 38% in approval to the 48% of Canadians who disapprove. This ranks Canada 20th out of the 23 countries evaluated.
Canada has seen a ten point decline in support for more LGBTQ characters on TV, in movies, and in advertising, with 34% of Canadians in support and 22% in opposition.
Pierre also indicated approval for a finding that around 48% of Canadians oppose and only 21% approve of allowing trans people to compete in athletic competitions based on the gender they identify with, down from previous Ipsos and Angus Reid polling.
“This is down globally from 27% in 2021 according to the study. The previously referenced 2023 Angus Reid poll showed 31% of people approving the inclusion of trans athletes in female sports. PAFE welcomes the attitudinal shift as a step forward in protecting women athletes from sporting injury.”
Among the poll’s other finding include declining support for same-sex marriage, decling support for the right of same-sex couples to adopt children, and a decline in those who say they spoken out in support of an LGBTQ person who has been discriminated against.
In correspondence with polling data showing an increasing skepticism of LGBTQ activism, commentators have begun to speculate whether “woke” activism has passed its cultural peak.
On a recent episode of The Andrew Lawton Show, University of Buckingham professor Eric Kaufmann said that a backlash at the political level has begun against radical gender activism.
“On the gender issue, some of the politicians are now willing to challenge claims around truth, around gender for example,” said Kaufmann.
“So we’ve seen Blaine Higgs in New Brunswick and Scott Moe in Saskatchewan, Danielle Smith in Alberta, although we haven’t seen Premier (Doug) Ford in Ontario.”
